Hamas 'desperate' for Gaza ceasefire deal, Kirby says
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told "Good Morning America" on Thursday that Hamas is "desperate" for a ceasefire deal in Gaza after more than a year of intense fighting.
"Hamas is in a much weaker position now than they were in May when this deal got put on the table," Kirby said of the ceasefire agreement, a version of which was tabled by President Joe Biden's administration last summer.
"They're also more isolated with a ceasefire with Israel and Hezbollah -- they can't count on Hezbollah coming to their aid, Iran is weaker," Kirby said of Hamas. "There have been a lot of developments that have put Hamas in a situation where they were more desperate to get to a deal. That's where we are."
Pressure from President-elect Donald Trump and his team "sent a strong signal to everybody in the region," including Hamas, the surviving hostages in Gaza and their families, Kirby acknowledged.
"This new Trump team will have to implement this deal which is why President Biden made sure we were keeping them informed and coordinating with them all the way through this process," Kirby said.
Kirby spoke with GMA shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office accused Hamas of trying to renege on parts of the ceasefire agreement, which is yet to be ratified by the Israeli cabinet.
"We're confident that we're going to be able to start implementing it on Sunday," Kirby said, though added there are some "implementing details that still need to be ironed out" with Israel.
As to the future of Gaza, Kirby said Hamas cannot be allowed to remain in control.
"Post-conflict Gaza, all the governance that needs to happen there, meeting the aspirations of the Palestinian people, all that needs to be ironed out, and it's going to have to be done regionally," Kirby said.
A collective day-after plan will have to ensure that "Hamas cannot return, cannot be in power, cannot threaten Israel and yet all the aspirations for safety and security of the Palestinian people can be met, as well as those of the Israeli people."
Of the U.S. hostages slated for possible release, Kirby said the White House knows "several that are still alive."
"We don't have perfect visibility on every single one, but I think we have a pretty good sense," he added. "We know who is going to be coming out in this first tranche. There will be additional Americans coming out in follow-on tranches.
